Google Maps API Key Changes Impact Real Estate Websites

Maps are an essential part of any real estate website. They’re used to show the location of listings and the boundaries of communities. The visual and interactive nature of online maps adds a lot to the user experience of an agent’s site.

When it comes to online maps, Google is king. Nearly 14% of the top 1 million sites use embedded Google Maps. That is 46 times greater than the next closest competitor. With such a large share of the market, any change to Google Maps can have a major impact on the Internet. Just such a change happened this week.

Google Maps API Key

To this point, you could embed a Google Map on a real estate website without an account. This is no longer the case. As of June 11, 2018, a Google Maps API key is required to add a map to a website.

Getting an API key from Google is fairly straightforward. Create a Google Console account, add a credit card to that account, and generate an API key (step-by-step guide below).

For an existing API key, Google has a Transition Tool to add the necessary billing information for continued use.

Google Maps Pricing

A credit card on file is required to get a Google Maps API key, but that doesn’t mean any charges will occur. While there are fees associated with certain map features, the majority of real estate agents will never use them.

Most REALTORS® only need to embed a simple dynamic map. According to Google’s Pricing and Billing Changes page, “Embed with Dynamic Maps or a map with a marker, will continue to be free with unlimited usage. Embed API requests using Directions mode, Street View mode, or Search mode will now be billed.”

Unless a more advanced application is needed, Google Maps should continue to be free for nearly all real estate agent websites.